Packaging



April 5, 1960 B. J. TAMARlN PACKAGING 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 9, 1956 INVEN TOR. BERNARD J. TAMARIN BY a 2 ATTORNEY B. J. TAMARIN April 5, 1960 PACKAGING 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 9, 1956 INVENTOR. BERNARD J. TAMARIN ATTDRNEY April 1960 B. J. TAMARIN 2,931,553

PACKAGING Filed April 9, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 6

IN VEN TOR. BERNARD J. TAMARI N BY ATTORNEY B. J. TAMARIN April 5, 1960 PACKAGING 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 9, 1956 IN V EN TOR. BERNARD J. TAMARIN ATTORNEY B. J. TAMARIN April 5, 1960 PACKAGING 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 9, 1956- INVHVTOR.

ATTORNEY v United States Patent PACKAGING Bernard Tamarin, Whitemarsh, Pa.

Application April 9, 1956, Serial No. 577,142

12 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) This invention relates to packaging of cigarettes or similar articles, concerning especially provision of improved end closure in a portable container derived from a unitary foldable blank.

A well-known kind of package for cigarettes is composed of relatively flexible sheet materials, such as cellophane, metal foil, and paper; this soft type of container presents a considerable likelihood of damage to the contents by crushing, especially when partly empty. Most packages of this sort not only are diflicult to open when full but also, once opened, are impossible to close securely. On the other hand, existing containers made of paper or cardboard stiff enough to be considered moderately crush-proof or hard are awkward to handle and unduly expensive to manufacture, ship, and store.

A primary object of the present invention is convenient formation of a crush-proof package of customary pocket size, providing novel means of access to the interior, from a component one-piece blank of uniform thickness. An object is increased rigidity in cigarette packages, both when opened and closed. A particular object is construction of a captive sliding end closure for cigarette packages. Other objects of this invention, together with means and methods for attaining the various objects, will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying diagrams.

Fig. l is a plan of a foldable blank of this invention in sheet form before conversion into container or package form; Fig. 2 is a plan of an inner wrapping sheet. Fig. 3 is a perspective of an end portion of an inner wrapper formed from the sheet of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the inner wrapper of Fig. 3 in position to be enfolded by the blank of Fig. 1. Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive, constitute a sequence of perspectives of stages in the enfolding of the inner wrapper by. the outer blank subsequent to that shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a perspective of an end portion of a forming package folded as in Figs. 4 to 7, from the blank of Fig. l, at the beginning of formation of the top closure. Figs. 9 to 12, inclusive, constitute a sequence of perspectives of stages in the closing of thepackage top subsequent to the stage shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 13 is a perspective of the closed top end of a package like that of Fig. 12 during subsequent detachment along the junction of the end closure.

Fig. 14 is a perspective of the open opposite end of the forming package shown in preceding views. Figs. 15 to 17, inclusive, constitute a sequence of perspectives at successive stages in the closing of the bottom end shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 18 is a perspective of the top portion of a package of this invention with access slider opened. Fig. 19 is a view similar to that of Fig. 18 but with part of the contents of the package visible through the access opening, a

2,931,553 Patented Apr. 5, 1960 portion of the container, the container preferably having an enfolding inner wrapper underlying the captive closure piece. In particular, this invention contemplates, as a component for such a container, a unitary blank foldable in predetermined manner to form a preferably rectangular end closure and including at least one integrally formed piece extending from junction with the blank proper and adapted to constitute the captive closure piece to be reciprocated back and forth along the end of the container formed by the folded blank. Additional characteristics of the invention are disclosed and claimed hereinafter. V

Fig. 1 shows packaging blank I viewed in plan from the surface that is folded toward the inside in subsequent views. The generally rectangular body of the blank has wall panels 2 to 6, inclusive, defined by parallel score lines 7 to 10, inclusive, extending transversely from one longitudinal edge of the blank to the other. Wide panels 2 and 4 are equal to one another in width, as are narrow panels 3 and 5; lap panel 6 (having short top edge 31 and bottom edge 33) is narrower than the other narrow panels. 7

At the bottom edge of the blank, panel-2 has substantially rectangular flap 12 extending from it over essentially the entire width of the panel, with score line 16 separating flap and panel. Panel 4 has slightly larger rectangular flap 14 extending from it over the entire width of the panel, with score line 18 intervening; the transverse dimension of flap 14 closely approximates the width of one of the narrow panels in the pair. Panels 3 and 5 have at the bottom substantially trapezoidal tabs 13 and 15, respectively, joined to the body of the blank at their bases along aligned respective score lines 17 and 19 (slightly offset from score lines 16 and 18 for the flaps). The individual bottom flaps and tabs extend from the body of the blank no more than the width of one of the paired narrow panels.

At the top edge of the blank, panels 2 and 4 have substantially identical rectangular flaps 22 and 24, respectively, extending therealong for a major part of the distance from one corner of their respective panels toward respective score lines 7 and 8, which define intervening narrow panel 3. Thus, these top flaps are formed and oriented as mirror images of one another. The junction of flap 22 with panel 2 is interrupted by slot 36 joining score lines 26 and 26 aligned with it, and the junction of flap 24 with panel 4 is defined similarly by slot 38 joining score lines 28 and 28'. Each of the slots extends over a major part of the longitudinal dimension of the adjacent flap. The top edges of the wide panels are offset slightly from one another to allow for the thickness of the underlying flap when folded.

Essentially rectangular tab 25 extends from the top of narrow panel 5 for a distance slightly exceeding half the width of one or" the wide panels, and the width of the tab is slightly less than the width of the supporting narrow panel, from which the tab is separated by score line 29. Tab 23, whose width over most of its length closely approximates that of supporting narrow panel 3, extends outward for a similar distance (slightly more than half the wide panel width) from the top of that narrow panel; the junction of this tab with panel 3 is defined by perforated line 27. Outermost edge 37 of this tab is parallel to the perforated line; however, the genere I 3 ally rectangular outline of the tab is interrupted on the other two sides by ears 46 and 48 located opposite one another at the left and right respectively.

The tab ears are near the free outermost edge of the tab, but spaced from it by small continuations 4-1 and 45' of respective edges 41 and 45. The like lengths of edges 41 and 45 from the panel junction to the corresponding ears are each slightly greater than the combined lengths of free top edge 42 and scored flap junction 26 of panel 2, on the one hand, and like total length of free top edge 44 and adjoining scored fiap junction 28 of panel 4, on the other. Identical to one another in length, scored portion 26 and 28 of the fiap junctions beyond the slots are slightly longer than corresponding edge continuations 41 and 45 of the eared tabs.

Fig. 2 shows soft rectangular sheet 1 31 useful as an inner wrapper for the contents of a container or shell made of the blank of Fig. 1. Wide wall panels 102 and 104 (of unequal width) and narrow wall panels 103 and 105 (of equal width), as well as lap panel 106, are defined by the transverse edges of the sheet and parallel broken lines 107 to 110, inclusive, which indicate lines of folding. Longitudinal fold lines 117 and 113 are shown extending from edge to edge at the bottom and the top of the sheet, respectively, connecting the ends of the transverse fold lines. Unnumbered oblique fold lines, indicating end tucks and folds, appear in the top and bottom margins of the sheet, being separated therefrom by the respective longitudinal fold lines. Unlike the score lines for the blank of Fig. 1, which represent actual impression of the blank, the fold lines shown on the soft wrapping sheet are merely diagrammatic, as proper folding of the sheet is obtained in conventional manner about an arbor of the desired shape; the arbor is hollow to carry the cigarettes preparatory to their insertion into the pouch formed by closing of one end of the wrapper.

Narrow panel 103 of the sheet of Fig. 2 and portions of adjacent wide panels 102 and 104 are perforated along line 113, which extends parallel to top fold line 118 completely across the narrow panel and into the wide panels, where the perforations terminate at the inner end of slit 114 in panel 104, on the one hand, and the like end of slit 112 in panel 102, on the other. The slits extend obliquely from the perforated line across the intervening narrow strip of the body to and completely across the adjacent top margin of the sheet, thus defining a detachable portion ofthe sheet.

Fig. 3 shows in perspective the appearance of the closed top portion of pouch 121 formed from the sheet of Fig. 2 by the tucks and folds there indicated by broken lines at the top. The marginal extensions of the wide panels are tucked under and overlapped by small triangular flaps 123 and 125 whose bases adjoin the narrow wall panels. Flap constitutes the top of the detachable portion outlined-by perforated line 113 and cooperating slits 112 and 114. Closing of the bottom portion of the pouch by tucking the marginal extensions of the narrow wall panels. Flap123 constitutes the top of the detachable extensions of the wide panels on the lines indicated at the bottom of Fig. 2 is illustrated and described hereinafter. a

Fig. 4 shows in perspective inner wrapper 121 juxtaposed to blank 1 for enfolding by that blank; the wrapper is coincident with wide wall panel 4 of the outer blank. Like succeeding sequential Figs. 5 to 13, inclusive, Fig. 4 omits in the interest of clarity all showing of the bottom of the container being formed. In Fig. 4, as in Figs. 5 to 7 and 14 to 17, both inclusive, the forming package appears lying on its side; in Figs. 8 to 13, inclusive, it appears upright. Figs. 14 to 17, inclusive, illustrate formation of the bottom closure.

In Fig. 5 the blank is folded perpendicular to wall panel 4 (and to extended attached flap 24) along fold lines 8 and 9, visible in Figs. 1 and 4. Outer surface 6' of lappanel6 has an adhesive layer applied to it, as ill-- top of the package.

dicated by stippling of the surface. Fig. 6 shows panel 6 folded along previously visible score line 10 against the surface of the inner wrapper; also, in this view, panel 2 is folded about score line 7, previously shown, almost into contact with the adhesive surface. In Fig. 7, folding of the outer blank into tubular form is complete, with' the adjacent tabs and flaps still aligned with the wall panels to which they are joined.

Fig. 8 shows in perspective the forming package of Fig. 7 upended and with the top tabsfolded part way over the end. Eared tab 23 partly overlaps plain tab 25 at the free extremities of the two tabs. Fig. 9 shows the plain tab folded down against the top of the inner wrapper and the eared tab lying against it with the ears protruding from the slots at the junction between flaps and supporting wall panels; the upstanding flaps are shown spread slightly apart at the top to facilitate entrance of the ears. Ear 46 extends toward the viewer through slot 36 at the junction of flap 22 with panel 2, and ear 48 extends away from the viewer through slot 38 at the junction of flap 24 with panel 4. Perforated junction 27 of eared tab 23 remains intact.

Fig. 10 shows flap 22 folded partly over the tabs; Fig. 11 shows that fiap folded clear down against the tabs and shows flap 24, with adhesively-coated lower surface 24 about to contact the upper surface of flap 22. Fig. 12 shows flap 24 folded down against the underlying flap to complete the end closure. After completion of the closure, eared tab 23 can be detached from panel 3 to form a slidable closure piece whenever desired; this detachment may be accomplished by pressing the tab downward with thumb or finger in the manner suggested in Fig. 13, or it may be performed mechanically as a step at or near theend of the packaging operation.

The open bottom of the package, with cigarettes 20 in place therein appears in perspective in Fig. 14. The bottom tabs and flaps of the tubular outer shell extend somewhat beyond the bottom edge of the pouch into "which inner wrapper 121 is formed.

In Fig. 16, flap 12 of the outer shell is folded down, folding flap 122 of the inner wrapper similarly; the visible inner surface 14 of the other outer fiap (14) is shown adhesively coated. Completion of the bottom closure appears in Fig. 17, where outer flap 14 and inner flap 124 also are folded across the end of the package.

Manual detachment of eared tab 23 of the relatively rigid 'outer shell of the formed box-like package was suggested ab'ove and in Fig. 13. It is readily apparent that, upon detachment of that tab from its junction with the wall. panel, cars 46 and 48 protruding from slots 36 and 38, respectively, will retain it in slidable relation to the Opening of the package may be accomplished most simply by placing thumb and forefinger on opposite sides of the top edges, grasping the pair ofears lightly but firmly, and sliding them along in the pair of retaining slots.

Fig. 18 shows in like perspective the appearance of the top of the package when the detached eared tab has been slid under the overlapped flaps to uncover part of the end and thus expose a corresponding part of the inner wrapper. Triangular flap -1 23 of the pouch formed from the innerwrapper rises sufiiciently when the overlying tab slides aside to permit that flap to be grasped, as between thumb "and forefinger, whereupon an abrupt pull on the fiap will detach it, along with'the adjacent part of the inner wall outlined by perforated, line 113 and slits 112 and 114; inasmuch'as the bottom of the inner wrap per is interleaved with the bottom tabs and flaps of the rigid outer-shell, as shown in Figs. 15 to 17, the force applied to removethedetachablepart of the inner wrapper does not disturb the pouch formed from it or afiect the contents.

Fig. 19 shows the open package after removal of the detachable part of the inner wrapper, with several cigarettes exposed. One or more of the cigarettes may be ejected part of the way, as in Fig. 20, by'tapping the top of the package; then, after manual removal of the desired cigarettes through the access opening provided by sliding aside of the cnetime tab, the slider may be returned to its original position to close the end of the package, as shown in Fig. 21. The length relationships mentioned above at the end of the discussion devoted to Fig. 1 ensure that travel of the slider formed by the detached tab is halted in the'fully closed position by contact of the detached end of the slider with the side wall, rather than by contact of the ears themselves with the end of slots, which might tend to bend them.

Regardless of whether the slider is open or closed, the

rigidity of this package is unimpaired because of the enclosed shell-like construction, which completely surrounds the contents; contrariwise, conventional swing-top hard packages lose much of their rigidity upon being opened. Unlike a swing-top opening, the access opening provided according to the present invention exposes at most half the top end of the package, preferably somewhat less; this optimum opening reduces moisture interchange with the atmosphere to a minimum as well as preventing inadvertent spilling of the contents or fragments thereof.

The ears of the slider protrude sufficiently and preferably are pointed, as shown, for ready identification by touch alone. The ears fit closely enough in the slots for positive closure, preventing accidental opening under ordinary conditions, especially until all the cigarettes are removed. The slider may be placed in an intermediate position to hold one or more cigarettes partly ejected, as is convenient when offering them to someone else from a partly empty package. Complete emptying of the package, which usually occurs after from about tento twenty openings and closings when used for cigarettes, leaves it in good condition for subsequent use as a container for buttons, tacks, screws, or similar household articles.

The component materials of this package are readily available, and the invention permits reduction in the amounts required, reducing the cost accordingly. The blank used for the shell itself (see Fig. 1) may be made most conveniently from relatively stiff paper, such as that used for tags or playing cards. A high quality of paper stock can be used advantageously because of the economy afforded by adequacy of a single thickness (without added rigid paper backing or interliner) in the present construction and by the minimum waste (at most several percent) in the die-cutting of the blank. Scoring of the blank to facilitate subsequent folding is accomplished readily during (or after) the cutting of the blank, as is perforation of the junction of the eared tab with the rest of the blank.

The unitary full-length wall panels not only help to impart a high degree of rigidity to the package, as mentioned above, but also facilitate imprinting of brand name or other information on the front panel (as well as the back and side panels) without any problem of registration at abutting edges. By virtue of the great moisture protection afforded the contents by the all-enveloping outer shell, the inner wrapper, conventionally composed at least in part of foil (or similar relatively expensive vapor-impermeable material), need not be so extensive as is customary in existing cigarette packages.

The cigarette package provided by this invention outwardly resembles the conventional American soft package and demands relatively slight change in smokers habit patterns, modifying them only by the improved mode of access to the contents. However, consumer acceptance along could not guarantee use of an improved package if conversion to it should prove unduly costly. Cigarette the I manufacturers, who package their own product and have a tremendous investment in existing machinery, can produce the described hard-shell container conveniently on existing soft-package machinery (notably the 3-79 model made by American Machine and Foundry Company) with only very slight modification. The sequential views of the folding of the scored outer blank will suggest to anyone familiar with the industry the ready adaptation of the standard packaging machinery to it; the formation of the outer shell partakes of the sequence of steps normally employed in surrounding the usual foil wrapper with a soft paper label, as well as those involved in shaping and closing the inner wrapper itself. The ears of the tab that subsequently becomes the sliding closure piece fall quickly and accurately into place during the normal tab-tucking and flap-folding operations. Of course, if desired, the slider could be formed separately and assembled in relation to the blank proper before or during folding, but this would demand otherwise unecessary modification of the packaging machinery.

If it is desired to enclose the hard-shell package of this invention in cellophane, it may prove advantageous to minimize the extent of protrusion of the ears or to round them, to prevent wrinkling of the transparent wrapper, or even to alter the location of the retaining slots (and of the ears, accordingly). For example, the slots can be moved somewhat from the flap junction with the body of the blank into the flap proper, with suitable narrowing of the tab in the vicinity of the ears for ready insertion into the slots during assembly. While by obvious extension of the present teaching the location and number of the slots and ears could be varied further (e.g., reduction to a single ear or other protrusion in, struck from, or added to a tab for registry with one or more enclosing slots in one or more overlying fixed closure pieces) the preferred embodiment of the invention is described fully above. Rentention of the slider there, though aided by the partly underlying tab, is rendered adequate by the cooperation of cars and slots alone, an arrangement superior in that respect to some of the suggested modifications.

The claimed invention:

1. A cigarette container composed of a unitary piece of foldable sheet material, having an end closure of rectangular plan and having bordering the end closure both a pair of wide side walls spaced parallel to one another and a pair of intervening narrow side walls spaced parallel to one another and perpendicular to and joining the wide side walls, the end closure having a dispensing opening therein, extending from one of the respective wide side walls to the other, and comprising a rectangular strip located between the respective wide side walls and in contact therewith over substantially its entire length and normally covering the dispensing opening, the strip lying along the end of the container and being attached to one of the narrow side walls and adapted to constitute a closure slide reciprocable back and forth along the end to uncover and recover the dispensing opening.

2. In a cigarette container having an end closure of rectangular plan bordering a pair of wide side walls spaced parallel to one another and bordering a pair of narrow side walls spaced parallel to one another and perpendicular to and joining the wide side walls, the improvement comprising a relatively soft inner wrapper and a relatively rigid outer shell enveloping the inner wrapper, the inner wrapper including a pair of flaps extending from the respective wide side walls thereof and partly overlapping one another for substantially the entire length of the end, the outer shell including a pair of flaps extending from the respective wide side walls thereof and substantially completely overlapping one another for a major part of the length of the end, the outer shell including also a strip integrally formed with the shell and underlying the flaps thereof and overlying the flaps of the inner wrapper, the strip being adapted for reciprocation along the end between the respective pairs of flaps.

3. A package of rectangular plan comprising a plurality of articles extractable through an opening provided in the top'of the package, a relatively soft wrapper enveloping the articles and having at one end of the top thereof a detachable portion adjacent the opening location and corresponding in plan substantially to the plan of the opening, the wrapper including a pair of wide fiaps adjoining'the respective wide edges of the top and a pair of narrow, substantially triangular flaps adjoining the respective narrow edges of the top, at least one of the narrow flaps partially overlying the wide flaps, each of the wide flaps being separable along a predetermined line into a minor portion adjacent that overlying narrow fiap and the opening location and into a major portion, the minor portions of the Wide flaps being removable together with the overlying narrow flap by virtue of a perforation of the wrapper below and substantially parallel to the flap junctions and extending adjacent three sides of the opening, a relatively hard outer shell enveloping the inner wrapper and having a captive closure piece adapted to slide back and forth to uncover the opening and the detachable portion of the inner Wrapper and to recover the opening.

4. A package of rectangular plan comprising a plurality of articles extractable through an opening provided in the top of the package; a relatively soft wrapper enveloping the articles and having at one end a detachable portion covering the opening and corresponding in plan substantially to the plan of the opening, the inner wrapper having a tucked and folded configuration at the bottom end, including a pair of tucks extending from the respective narrow edges of the end and a pair of flaps extending from the respective wide edges of the end, with one flap at least partially overlying the other and with both flaps at least partially overlying the tucks; a relatively hard outer shell enveloping the inner wrapper and having a captive closure piece adapted to slide back and forth to uncover and recover the opening and the detachable portion of the inner wrapper, the outer shell having at the bottom end a pair of tabs extending from the respective narrow edges of the end and a pair of flaps extending from the respective wide edges of the end, with one flap at least partially overlying the other and with both flaps at least partially overlying the tabs, the tabs and flaps of the outer shell being interleaved with the tucks and flaps of the inner wrapper, the tabs immediately overlying the tucks, and a flap of the outer shell being located outermost and immediately overlying a fiap of the inner wrapper.

5. In an end closure of rectangular plan for a container composed of foldable sheet material and including a soft inner wrapper surrounded by a relatively hard outer shell, the improvement comprising a marginal portion of the inner wrapper adjoining the rest of the inner wrapper along the periphery of the end and having a tucked and folded configuration over the end, inner flaps therein formed by the tucking being located adjacent the narrow edges of the end and outer flaps therein formed by the folding being located adjacent the wide edges of the end; a marginal portion of the outer shell adjoiningthe rest of the outer shell along the periphery of the end and being divided into tabs located adjacent the narrow edges of the end and flaps located adjacent the wide edges of the end; arranged with the tucked inner flaps of the inner wrapper being located innermost, the tabs of the outer shell immediately overlying the tucked inner flaps, a first outer fiap of the inner Wrapper immediately overlying the tabs, a first fiap of the outer shell immediately overlying the first outer flap of the inner wrapper, a second outer flap of the inner wrapper immediately overlying the first flap of the outer shell, and a second flap of the outer shell immediatelyoverlying the second outer flap of; the inner wrapper.

6. In a container formed from a folding paper blank having a body of rectangular plan foldable along spaced parallel lines extending from the top to the bottom thereof to delineate a pair of wide panels adapted to form parallel front and back walls of the container and a pair of narrow panels adapted to form two side walls perpendicular to, and joining the front and back walls, the improvement comprising an end closure formed from extensions of the blank foldably joined to the body of the blank along "one edge thereof and including a first tab joined to one of thc'narrow wall panels, a second tab detachably joined to the other of the narrow wall panels, and at least one flap joined to a wide wall panel, together being adapted to cover the end in a plane perpendicular to each of the respective wall panels, with the flap at least partly overlying each of the tabs and with the first tab partly underlying the second tab, the second tab being adapted upon detachment thereof from the body of the blank to slide aside between the underlying tab and overlying fiap to uncover a portion of the end, the detachable junction of the second tab with the body of the blank extending substantially the width of the narrow wall panel, whereby sliding of the detached tab away from that panel and along the end of the container opens the container for substantially the entire width .of the end and for a length corresponding to the displacement of the tab therealong.

7. A substantially rigid portable container made of a unitary folding blank of sheet material and provided with a dispensing opening therein, having a fixed portion located adjacent the dispensing opening with a pair of slots therein parallel to the plane of and directed toward the opening, and a captive closure slide adapted to cover the dispensing opening, the slide partly underlying the slotted fixed portion and partly protruding through the slots to the exterior of the slotted fixed portion and there paralleling the underlying part of the slide, the slide being reciprocable with respect to the slots by manual contact with the protruding part thereof, while maintaining its extent of protrusion through the slots substantially constant, and thereby adapted to uncover and recover the dispensing opening.

8. A substantially rigid one-piece container having parallel front and back walls and parallel side walls perpendicular to and joining the front and back Walls and having at one end a first flap joined to the front wall, a second flap joined to the back wall opposite the first flap, the flap junctions with the walls being slotted opposite one another intermediate the edges of the flaps, a first tab joined to one of the side walls, and a second tab joined detachably to the other side wall along a line of perforations and having a pair of cars extending from opposite edges of the tab near the outermost edge thereof, the flaps and tabs forming an end closure in a plane perpendicular to the walls of the package, the first tab covering substantially one-half the end, the second tab overlapping the first tab for a minor part of the length of each tab with the ears protruding through the slots in 9. Packaging blank of stiff sheet material foldable into the form of a container having a pair of wide wall panels spaced parallel to one another, having a pair of narrow wall panels spaced parallel to one another and perpendicular to and joining the wide wall panels, and having a sliding end closure, the blank having a substantially rectangular body portion adapted to fold to form the side walls, having along one edge a plurality of tabs and flaps adapted to close one end thereof, and having along the opposite edge a plurality of tabs and flaps adapted to close the other end thereof and to form the slidingend closure, including a tab joined detachably to one of the narrow wall panels over substantially the entire width thereof and adapted, upon the folding of the blank into container form, to cover an otherwise uncovered portion 9 closure piece adapted to uncover a portion of the end, and including a flap joined fixedly to one of the side wall panels over a major portion only of the width thereof, corresponding to a major portion of the length of the end, and adapted, upon the folding of the blank into container form, to cover the portion of the end not covered by the sliding end closure in the closed position.

10. Packaging blank of stiff sheet material foldable into container form and having a substantially rectangular body portion foldable along a plurality of parallel transverse lines delineating wall panels, a plurality of extensions in the form of tabs and flaps extending transversely from the edge of the body, each bordering one of the wall panels, and including a tab having an ear extending from it perpendicular to the transverse lines and including also a flap having a slot along part of its junction with the adjacent wall panel, the blank being foldable to place the ear of the tab in the slot of the flap, and the tab being separable from its junction with the adjacent wall panel to permit it to slide along the flap junction with the ear of the tab retained in the slot, the tab thereby forming a captive closure piece for a dispensing opening otherwise left in the end of the container formed by the folding blank.

11. A stifi wrapping blank having a substantially rectangular body with four parallel transverse score lines. along which the blank is foldable to form an open-ended tube with rectangular cross-sectional length L and width W, each of the lengthwise edges of the end having a fiap extending therefrom and each of the widthwise edges of the end having a tab extending therefrom, one widthwise edge along the top end of the body of the blank having a tab of width approximating W and of length exceeding and the other widthwise edge along that end having a tab of length exceeding the difierence between L and the length of the first tab but being substantially less than L and of width exceeding W at a pair of ears protruding from opposite edges of the tab near the outermost edge thereof and otherwise approximating W, the junction of the second tab with the body being perforated, each of other along the junction of the respective flaps with the body and about the location of the tab ears when the second tab is folded over the end of the tube, each of these flaps being of length exceeding but overlapping only a minor part of the second tab when folded across the end of the tube'and being of width at most equal to W but sufficient to overlap one another when folded across the end of the tube.

12. A substantially rigid container, made substantially entirely of paper or the like, for holding cigarettes or like articles extractable from the end thereof, which is substantially rectangular, and comprising a fixed covering piece of generally rectangular configuration covering all but a portion of the end and adjoining at least portions of at least two of the adjoining edges of the end, at least one of the junctions of the fixed covering piece with an edge of the container being slotted intermediate the ends thereof, and a captive closure piece of paper or the like extending substantially the width of the end and having at least one sidewise extendingear, being the only part of the captive closure piece extending beyond on edge of the end, fitting slidably in and protruding through such slotted junction and to the side of the container, the captive closure piece being adapted to cover the portion of the end not covered by the fixed covering piece and to slide aside in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of protrusion of the ear so as to uncover a portion of the end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 940,634 Davis Nov. 16, 1909 958,707 Stafford May 17, 1910 1,324,578 Bard Dec. 9, 1919 1,424,127 Thole July 25, 1922 1,427,977 Sohn Sept. 5, 1922 1,951,274 Denman Mar. 13, 1934 1,998,862 Caruso et al. Apr. 23, 1935 2,219,179 Payer et a1 Oct. 22, 1940 2,254,608 Heyer Sept. 2, 1941 2,330,772 Wodal et a1. Sept. 28, 1943 2,342,081 Kirkland et a1 Feb. 15, 1944 2,349,748 Otto May 23, 1944 2,549,373 Forsyth Apr. 17, 1951 1957 2,811,247 Stevenson Oct. 29,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2331553 7 April 5, 1960 Bernard J. Tamarin It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as correeted-- below.

In the grant lines 1 and. l2 and in the heading to the printed specification, line 3 name of inventor for "Bernard Tamarin" read Bernard J. Tamarin column 3 line l3 for "portion" read portions line 54 for "Flap constitutes read Flap 123 constitutes line 58 strike out Flap 123 constitutes the top of the detachable" and insert instead and then folding over the remaining flap-like column 4 line 5 for "the" read that column 5 line 74 for "along" read alone column 6 line 37 1 for "Rentention" read Retention column 10 line 23 for "on edge" read an edge Signed and sealed this. 6th day of September 1960.,

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

